Tocuyito is a city of Venezuela, capital of the Libertador Municipality in Carabobo State. It is part of the metropolitan area of Valencia. This city is considered the entry point to Valencia from the motorways that lead to the Southwest (Barquisimeto) and South (towards Cojedes).

Tocuyito
Flag of Tocuyito
Official seal of Tocuyito
Tocuyito is located in Venezuela
Tocuyito
Tocuyito
Location in Venezuela
Coordinates: 10°06′52″N 68°03′56″W / 10.11444°N 68.06556°W / 10.11444; -68.06556
CountryVenezuelaVenezuela
StateCarabobo
MunicipalityLibertador
Founded1547
City EstablishedMay 16, 1782
Elevation
340 m (1,120 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total
173,450
Time zoneUTC−4 (VET)
ClimateAw
Websitealcaldialibertador-carabobo.gob.ve

Geography

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Tocuyito is located in the flatlands of Carabobo, at an altitude of 451 metres above sea level. Its annual temperature is around 26°C.

History

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Tocuyito was founded in 1547 by Spanish Conquistador Juan de Villegas. The name derives from its initial similarity to the town of El Tocuyo (Tocuyito is little Tocuyo). Tocuyo is an Indian word for "maniok juice".[citation needed]

Southwest of the town is where the 1821 Battle of Carabobo took place, resulting in a joint Venezuelan-Colombian victory against the Spanish Army.

There was an important battle in Tocuyito on 14 September 1899, when the so-called Revolution for Liberal Restoration, led by Cipriano Castro, decisively defeated the governmental forces of president Ignacio Andrade.

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10°06′52″N 68°03′56″W / 10.11444°N 68.06556°W / 10.11444; -68.06556